THE family of a Merseyside woman who went missing while out walking on Lanzarote will continue to scour the island for her – despite a large-scale search and rescue operation being scaled back.

THE family of a Merseyside woman who went missing while out walking on Lanzarote will continue to scour the island for her – despite a large-scale search and rescue operation being scaled back.

Volunteers involved in the search for 65-year-old Margaret Holt, of Poulton, are now calling on holidaymakers to wrack their brains for any potential sightings of her.

It is feared the keen hiker, last seen on December 23, fell while out walking.

Official search and rescue teams were stood down yesterday after 72 hours, leaving expatriates and other residents organising the hunt.

Her worried family, including son Ben and daughter-in-law Claire, contacted the Spanish Civil Guard to raise the alarm after she failed to make contact with them over Christmas.

Today Sandy Bartholomew, a tour guide on the Canary Island who has taken charge of the search, said the authorities had agreed to restart the hunt tomorrow with members of a hikers association.

Hang-gliders are also to be dispatched to search for Mrs Holt from the air.

Ms Bartholomew said: “There is every chance she could still be alive.

“Her son and daughter-in-law are in despair.

“We are all running around doing our utmost.”

Mrs Holt was on a two-week holiday to the Canary Islands when she went missing.

She was due to have flown home on December 29 but did not show up at the airport.

She is described as extremely fit and was last seen wearing a light pink vest, khaki shorts and walking sandals and carrying a drawstring bag.

Her passport and belongings were found in her hotel room, although it is believed she took her mobile phone – which is not working – with her.

A guidebook, believed to have been found in her room, indicated she planned to walk in the north of the island.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are aware that a British national, Margaret Holt, has been reported missing while on holiday alone in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote, on Monday December 26. She was last seen on December 23.

“We are in contact with the Spanish authorities who are investigating and are carrying out a search co-ordinated by the Civil Guard and local emergency services.

“Staff from the British Consulate are in contact with the authorities and are providing consular assistance to the family.”